We are in a morphing stage. Since Greg’s passing, our Tuesdays With Seniors group hasn’t been the same. We’ve reformed and are now enjoying the company of pre-seniors. It was during this time that our two new members, Rita and Karen, and I went to Grass Valley and the Empire Mine State Park.

I had been there twice with Greg, and he was the tour guide. He mostly showed me the town, various high points and the countryside. He used to live in Nevada City and for him it was a homecoming.

I find Grass Valley old town a little less touristy than Nevada City. We went to both, but shot mostly in Grass Valley. Once again, I needed to shoot the familiar scene a little differently. I didn’t do HDR or carry a tripod as I had done on my two previous visits. I tried different angles and got in a little closer in some shots, especially at the mine.

This time our visit to the Empire Mine, where I did use a tripod and shot HDR,  yielded an unauthorized brief tour of the cottage. The ranger in the office turned her head and allowed the docent to take us in. We were like children in the candy store, that is until the alarm went off. Our docent, probably feeling like he got caught with his hand in the candy jar, was busy trying to turn off the blaring sound. Soon we heard an additional but different blare–the second alarm! We took our shots quickly because we knew that once the alarms were turned off, our sneak peak into the cottage would be over.

But, the fun isn’t over, and I look forward to more adventures with this re-formed group. We will have a new name which will be decided tomorrow during our Napa visit.

This mural was on the side of a convenience store near the historic part of town.

I couldn’t get a decent shot of this beautiful library the last time. So glad I came back.

Karen and I played around with catching a sunburst on the old Del Oro movie theater.

This picture of a bank shows how hilly this area is.

Just a bunch of hanging signs on Main Stree.

Inside the cottage.

I loved the old furniture. I used HDR because I didn’t want to damage anything with a flash.

Love the old tub in the downstairs bathroom.

This is what we would call the family room today.

At the blacksmith shop.

The docents make real, usable items in this shop.

In the old machinery bone yard. Close ups.

I love old rusted machinery.

I’m sure this was used to carry stuff out of the mine.

Just one of the buildings being fixed.